Bed/Roof hinge source?

[Gromit]

Greetings.

First post. You guys have helped me a lot with this board. I've spent the past several evenings reading through the archived forums which have answered a ton of my questions.

But of course, I have more. Hopefully there's still enough peeps around to answer them.

We bought a '73 Ramada last summer. Decent shape, but we were looking forward to remodeling it and such. More on that later.

First, and this might be a deal-killer as in I might have to give up on the project if I can't find replacements, ApacheParts lists the bed/roof hinge as not available.



Where it's circled and labeled "C" is almost completely destroyed on both sides. At this point it's barely functional, but would work a few times if we took it out and covered the whole end with duct tape for the weekend, but why bother when there are a ton of other issues.

Anyway, do you guys know where I can find that set of hinges?

[Gromit]

Looking closer, there's four pieces, at least, at each connection.

I assumed this would have been a good place for a living hinge, so only a top and a bottom. No such luck.

So, how are the replacements fastened together? It seems to be three layers of PVC, so a typical aluminum rivet would destroy the PVC and make everything useless.

I work with metal, so I know you can order rivets with different pressures, but again, does anyone have a suggested source if rivets are the solution?

[raider]

Where there is a will there is a way, don't rush into any quick idea/repairs without getting some more information or as much as you can. I'm not much help as I am not familiar with Ramada's.  Do they have the paneling on the inside?

I suggest that if you don't get any answers would be to contact  http://apachecampertrailers.com/contact.html and let them know the issue if you haven't already. It may take a few tries. But tell them you are looking at the drawing on page 26, (that is what it shows in my manual anyway) of the Apache Lift systems parts and service manual, and see what they have to say. In the meantime perhaps someone else might be able to give you some ideas.

[raider]

Maybe this might help:   http://www.apachepopups.net/smf/index.php?topic=13289.msg128341#msg128341  It shows  that the 74 went to a metal hinge.

[Gromit]

Thank you for the quick reply!

My wife called ApacheCamperTrailers today and the lady told her that they're out, but the guy has the dies to extrude the hinge parts, but literally might not get around to it for another year or two.

Seriously, WTF!!?!

Interesting that they went to the metal hinge. I cannot imagine how they could make that waterproof. I don't see anything like that on ACT website.

[naturelover]

Has the hinge itself broke, or just the hinge detaching from the roof/wall?

Here’s a picture of my old 73 Ramada, and as can see, the hinge had detached from the wall. 

If it is detached, it can be glued back with the MEK goo, and will need some way to hold it.  My way worked, but probably better ways to apply more even pressure.



If the hinge flange itself is broke, that is gonna be a difficult repair without finding a donor. 

As above, a great upgrade for the later year Apaches, metal roof hinge. 



As for it being waterproof, there should be an overlap on the roof to keep it dry when it is set up, as can see here.

[Gromit]

Thanks for the reply!

Both sides of the camper have disintegrating hinges. What hasn't snapped off and gone missing is seriously cracking. The aluminum hinge you posted would be awesome and would surely do the trick.

The source here on this forum seems to be dead.

[naturelover]

Hmmm.

The only other thing I can think of is if there is a living hinge in between the two hinges (plastic or rope, I can’t recall how these were set up) would be to look for a metal trim that would sort of mimic the existing hinge profile and allow fitment of the living hinge.

Riveting it to the plastic wouldn’t work, but may be able to put a metal backing strip on the outside and rivet through the inside hinge and the outside strip and sandwich the plastic wall in between them, sort of mimicking the metal hinge above.  Would have to seal it somehow at the rivet holes with a sealant that adheres to ABS, maybe Dicor does. 

Just spitballing here, no idea if feasible. As say, can’t recall exactly what the top hinge looked like in the ‘73.

[raider]

Hey Naturelover,

Nice to see you back. Hope everything is well.

On your first picture, the one with the busted hinge and with the poles holding it in place, is that hinge like some of the plastic ones that are used in the sidewalls? It's great you post with pictures, but I'm having trouble trying to figure out what I'm looking at.  Are the poles holding the hinge in place to the roof?  And the gap in the left corner, and then it looks like a plastic rod or something, running the rest of the length or is that what you are holding in place? 

Thanks,
Roger

[naturelover]

Hey Naturelover,

Nice to see you back. Hope everything is well.

On your first picture, the one with the busted hinge and with the poles holding it in place, is that hinge like some of the plastic ones that are used in the sidewalls? It's great you post with pictures, but I'm having trouble trying to figure out what I'm looking at.  Are the poles holding the hinge in place to the roof?  And the gap in the left corner, and then it looks like a plastic rod or something, running the rest of the length or is that what you are holding in place? 

Thanks,
Roger

Hi!

Doing good, the Ramada has made a couple trips this year, and planning for some more.  Hope all is well with you too.

What was happening with mine is the plastic hinge that holds the living hinge was coming away from the roof, (the hinges are only “spot welded” at a few spots along the length) so I’d slathered some goo on it and was using the poles to try to press it back against the wall.

I’m thinking the OP’s problem is those hinges are destroyed. 

And you mentioning that gap reminds me, these did have living hinge at the roof.  Guessing mine had been replaced with the rope living hinge at some point (which is what the white thing is running the rest of the length, and it wasn’t long enough, leaving that gap between the wall and the roof seen there. 

Found a closer picture of it, though not he best quality.



Another example of this problem on the 73, this is where the wall meets the bed (cracked bed end cap at the lower right.  Can see the hinge itself pulling away from the wall.  This can be fixed, but if the hinge itself is busted and the living hinge won’t hold, then that is a harder problem to solve.

[raider]

I've never seen this set-up before, the style of a 73 Ramada with the plastic hinges, but your photos help and it is hard to really see and understand the issues other person is having through posting with the forum.
But I was wondering about taking that whole section of wall out, the bed, and the damaged walls that fold or have the hinge, or take the living hinge out from the bed and just deal with the two sections.  Take them out and lay them flat on a table or piece of plywood with sawhorses,  and then work on the damaged hinge area where it is separated.

That way things can get lined up better before trying to fix it with goo or whatever. Not to mention it would make it easier to work on. Even with your pictures and pictures of his damaged ones, it is still not clear in my mind just how those plastic hinges are set up to the two walls.

[Gromit]

Here's what I'm looking at fixing: